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Hollyrood

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The name blends Holyrood, the historic heart of Edinburgh, with Hollywood – a nod to the American hops inside. They bring tangy grapefruit to aroma and flavour, Scottish malt keeps the balance, and the finish is crisp with a bitter edge. A pale ale at 5.0 % ABV and 35 IBU, brewed by Stewart Brewing in Loanhead.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter35 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden7
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
citrusyhoppymalty
citrusy
hoppy
malty
clean
Aroma
The nose leads with tangy grapefruit citrus from American hops, bright and forward without astringency.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Hollyrood

◎ Appearance

Hollyrood presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a bright, inviting appearance. The head forms generously and maintains good retention, with fine lacing clinging to the glass as you drink. Carbonation is lively and well-integrated, lending visual vitality without aggression.

pale goldenclearfine lacinglively carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with tangy grapefruit citrus from American hops, bright and forward without astringency. Scottish malt provides a gentle, supportive backbone of grain sweetness and subtle biscuit notes. The overall aroma is clean and inviting, with no harsh or fermentation-derived characters.

tangy grapefruitAmerican hopsbiscuit maltclean nose

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and refreshing, with citrus flavors dominating the mid-palate—grapefruit zest paired with a light, clean malt foundation. The Scottish malt adds just enough body and subtle sweetness to balance the hop bitterness, which builds gradually without overwhelming. The palate remains dry and well-defined throughout.

citrus-forwardbalanced maltcrisp palateclean finish

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and moderately long, with a persistent bitter edge that fades cleanly rather than clinging. A slight dryness lingers, leaving the palate refreshed and ready for the next sip.

crisp aftertastebalanced bitterness
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
80
Finish
74
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Hollyrood

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About American Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Pale Ale?

Pale Ales balance malt sweetness with moderate hop character at 4.5–6% ABV and IBU 20–40. Approachable with floral, citrus or earthy notes over a biscuit malt base.

Finding a similar American Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same citrusy, crisp, bitter character as Hollyrood will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all American Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United Kingdom beers →